" I can't believe she disappeared like this , where is she ? she doesn't know her way around this place " Celeste shouted at Julia whom had already been pushing her buttons " Calm down , she's probably just roaming around nearby " Julia shook her head " You know you never have anything valuable to add to these discussions and you always try to tell me things about my own damn child ." Mark stepped in-between his sister and his wife while Joe's family members looked on puzzled " All of this arguing isn't gonna fix a damn thing , and Julia is right I am sure Harlee isn't far so just relax " Celeste scowled at Mark and was too through with his nerve " Please Mark …. just mind your own …. " she was interrupted by her little girl calling out to her.
" Harlee ? " Celeste gasped and turned to see her daughter approaching her " Hey mommy … are you okay ? " she asked " Sweetie , where have you been ? I was looking all over for you , I have to do your hair and …. " Celeste suddenly paused and took notice of the happiness in Harlee's face , she had color back and her bitterness had appeared to be gone " I'm sorry , I just went for a walk … I got lost but luckily I ran into Joe and he brought me back here … sorry if I worried anyone " she took her mother by the hand and slowly nodded , Celeste looked over to Joe who was observing their moment together " Okay … well as long as you are here now . Come with me you still have a big day ahead of you " she kissed Harlee's cheek and lead her back inside of the home , Joe continued to watch hoping that she would look back at him in which he she did and gave him a bashful smile .
" Ohhh wow , I had no idea it was her birthday today " Julissa came through and said to Joe " Where did you run into her ? her mom was losing it " Joe held his wrist and slowly began to nod " Well that just means she has a good mom , she was at the lake … where I knew she would be " he smirked and scratched the back of his head " Hey can I ask you something ? " Julissa twisted her lip and swayed a bit " What's on your mind ? " he shrugged " Maybe we can go for a bit of a stroll ? like we originally planned ? " Joe still appeared to be in a pickle , he was using Julissa to spite Harlee and that went out of the window once he found out that she was missing . There was so much going on and he was actually ready to make Harlee jealous in the worst way possible through Julissa , he never forgot what she did to him but leading Julissa on wouldn't do any of them favors " I suppose … and I'd like to pick something up for Harlee on the way back " Julissa raised an eyebrow and slowly nodded " Sure " she smiled and grabbed his arm " Still the nicest guy … " she sighed happily as they walked off .
Upstairs , Celeste had just finished helping Harlee pick out a nice outfit to wear for the remainder of the day " You look so gorgeous … " she smiled " Like a princess … because that is what you are . "
Harlee smiled back and felt her mother's praise was genuine this time around " Thank you mommy … " she nodded and looked at herself in the mirror . Harlee didn't see that insecure crybaby from earlier in the day , she felt beautiful and loved . She admired her purple sundress and her loose curls , she was dressed very appropriate for her age but was still able to glow " Wow … " she loved herself some more before embracing her mother " Aww sweetie , mommy loves you so much . I know that I am not around often but I think about you every single day …. " she kissed her child's forehead and massaged her a bit before noticing Harlee's gift bag " I see you got an early present " she said in excitement . Harlee was too busy bonding with her mother to be smart and hide the presents " Oh yeah … I got that from Joe " she smiled " I didn't open it up yet … I'll do it when I open the rest of my gifts tonight . " Harlee was once again becoming red in the face , Celeste was beginning to take notice of what was going on " Sweetie ? " she asked " Mom … can I tell you something ? " she released a few giggles and twiddled her thumbs " You can tell me anything " Celeste had an idea of what she was about to say , the idea of her daughter being smitten often worried her , however Celeste realized that maybe Harlee needed to get this off of her chest and it would make her less angsty . She had to tell herself not to overreact to Harlee's words " I like Joe … I like him alot " admitting to such a thing would have been so difficult just a couple of hours ago yet she just confessed to her mother and it was easy as pie " Please don't be upset with me … or him . If I ever meet a guy I just hope he is as nice as Joe " she slowly nodded . " I see … and I'm not upset … these things come natural and yes Joe is a really nice young man . I just want you to guard your heart , you won't be in Pensacola forever and in two years Joe will be in college … " she allowed Harlee to rest her head against her shoulder " I know … but mom , letting that out made me feel so much better . Thank you for listening to me " she grabbed her mother's hand and enjoyed her presence " Of course baby , of course " she smiled and held Harlee .
An hour had passed and Joe was heading back with Julissa " I'm really sorry that I did that to you , it was dickish and in the end two people would have ended up hurt . " he shrugged " True , but you deserve to get even Joe . I never properly apologized to you … for what it's worth I still care about you " she walked a few steps ahead of him " You don't have to apologize for that Julissa … there was fuck ups all around … and we are not together now are we ? that happened such a long time ago … I think we all need to start over … I know I'm trying " he swayed his arms a bit " You know … you are right … I was kind of wondering if I still felt something for you beyond friendship and that's why I was happy to be here … but I don't think I do ? no offense " she laughed " None taken , but it means so much that despite our past we can have this type of conversation . It took me actually falling for Harlee to understand your side of the story …. " he placed his hand on Julissa's shoulder and gave her a nod " Thank you for hearing me out this time … and I am glad you got things straightened out with your new beau … but what happens after tonight ? she is leaving isn't she ? " Joe didn't want to entertain the thought of saying goodbye so he just tried to keep it off of his mind " I'll cross that bridge when I get to it …. " he sighed .
Later on the adults were downstairs setting things up and Joe could smell the food grilling from all the way outside as he changed into his yellow Enyce shirt and black khaki shorts , he assumed that he was the only one inside of the house until he heard a knock on the door . Joe went to answer the door quickly and opened up " … Harlee " Joe felt as if he opened the door to a closet full of golden nuggets , that was how lovely Harlee appeared to be in that moment " Hey Joe …. " she smiled and waved " Harlee … you look beautiful , I don't even know what to say " she was so angelic and carried herself well , he just wanted her all to himself " Thank you … " she pulled her hair behind her ear " I thought maybe you would like to go downstairs together ? " she needed something to say because the situation was becoming awkward but their tension was intense " We can … but … " Harlee surprised him with a kiss " Joe … " she whispered into his lips " I don't want to say goodbye … ever " she tugged at his shirt and looked him deep in the eyes " … I know … " he took her small hand into his and lead her inside of his room , this time he locked the door behind " Tell me what you want Harlee .. " he ran his fingers through her hair kissed her forehead " I want to make it worth it … every minute " she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest , she could feel his heartbeats against her skin " … Me too Harlee … " he whispered and lifted her chin to bring her into a loving kiss .
Heads up you guys , the next chapter is the beginning of the actual drama between the Henry family and the A'noai family so everything is beginning to add up. If you didn't read Sting and wonder if Harlee and Joe actually did anything … well you just have to wait and see . Also do you think they are moving too fast ?